About This Lesson
Use Preventing burnout with real breaks and workload boundaries to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
この仕事量で、燃え尽きてきている気がします。
KOH-noh shee-GOH-toh-ryoh deh, moh-eh-DOH-kee-teh-kee-TEH-roo kee gah shee-MAHS. I think I am getting burned out from this workload.
B
ちゃんと休憩していますか、それとも仕事を切り替えているだけですか。
CHAHN-toh kyoo-KAY shee-TEH-ee-MAHS kah, soh-reh-toh-MOH shee-GOH-toh oh kee-ree-kah-EH-teh-ee-roo DAH-keh deh-SKAH? Have you been taking real breaks, or just switching between tasks?
A
ほとんど仕事を切り替えているだけで、あまり休んでいる感じがしません。
HOH-tohn-doh shee-GOH-toh oh kee-ree-kah-EH-teh-ee-roo DAH-keh deh, ah-mah-REE yah-SOON-deh-roo KAHN-jee gah shee-MAHS. Mostly switching tasks, which does not really feel like rest.
B
それなら、なぜプレッシャーが積み重なり続けるのか説明できます。
SOH-reh nah-RAH, NAH-zeh puh-RESH-shah gah tsoo-MEE-kah-sah-nah-REE tsoo-zoo-KEH-roo noh kah seh-TSOO-may deh-KEE-MAHS. That would explain why the pressure keeps building.
A
締め切りが近いときに止まると、罪悪感を覚えます。
shee-meh-KEE-ree gah CHIK-kah-ee toh-kee nee toh-MAH-roo toh, zai-ah-koo-KAHN oh oh-boh-eh-MAHS. I feel guilty stopping when the deadline is close.
B
回復に役立つなら、仕事に境界線を引くことは怠けではありません。
KAI-foo-koo nee yah-koo-DAHT-soo nah-RAH, shee-GOH-toh nee kyoh-KAI-sen oh HEE-koo koh-toh wah nah-MEH-keh deh-wah ah-ree-MAHS. A boundary is not laziness if it helps you recover.
A
締め切り前に、現実的にできることを上司に伝えたほうがよいかもしれません。
shee-meh-KEE-ree MAH-eh nee, GEN-jee-TSOO-teh-kee nee deh-KEE-roo koh-toh oh JOH-shee nee tsoo-TAH-eh-tah hoh-GAH YO-ee kah moh-shee-REH-mah-SEN. Maybe I should tell my manager what is realistic before the deadline.
B
それまでに終えられることと、さらに時間が必要なことを、はっきりさせてください。
SOH-reh-MAH-deh nee oh-eh-rah-reh-roo koh-toh toh, sah-rah-NEE JEE-kahn gah hee-TSOO-yoh nah koh-toh oh, HAHK-kee-ree sah-SEH-teh KOO-dah-SAI. Be clear about what you can finish by then, and what needs more time.
A
今日は机から離れて昼食を取ります。
KYOH wah tsoo-KOO-eh kah-rah hah-NAH-reh-teh CHOO-shoh-koo oh toh-ree-MAHS. I will take lunch away from my desk today.
B
それは元気を取り戻すための小さいけれど役に立つ一歩です。
SOH-reh wah GEN-kee oh toh-ree-moh-DOH-soo tah-MEH noh, chee-SAI keh-reh-doh yah-koo nee tah-TSOO IP-poh deh-SOO. That is a small but useful step toward getting your energy back.Word by Word
この
「この」means “this” and points to the specific workload being discussed in 「この仕事量」. It comes directly before a noun, as in 「この仕事量」. You can use it when referring to a nearby or currently discussed thing.
仕事量
「仕事量」means the amount of work or workload in this dialogue. In 「この仕事量」, it identifies the workload causing the speaker’s exhaustion. It is useful when discussing how much work someone has.
で
In 「この仕事量で」, 「で」shows the circumstance or cause connected with the workload. It frames the workload as the condition under which the speaker is becoming burned out. A common pattern is 「原因で」 or 「状況で」, followed by what happens in that situation.
燃え尽きてきている
「燃え尽きてきている」means “is becoming burned out” in this dialogue. The form presents burnout as a change that has been developing and is now affecting the speaker. It is useful for describing a condition that has gradually started to appear.
気
In 「気がします」, 「気」refers to a felt sense or impression, so the speaker has the feeling that burnout is developing. The meaning comes from the whole expression 「気がします」, not from 「気」alone. This pattern is useful when giving a personal impression without stating it as absolute certainty.
が
In 「気がします」, 「が」marks 「気」as the thing that is felt. It connects the feeling to 「します」within the expression. A common pattern is 「〜気がします」for saying that something seems or feels a certain way.
します
In 「気がします」, 「します」helps express having a feeling or impression, rather than simply doing an action. Together with 「気が」, it means that the speaker feels or senses something. This polite pattern can follow a clause describing what seems to be happening.
ちゃんと
「ちゃんと」means properly or adequately in 「ちゃんと休憩していますか」. It questions whether the person is taking a real, sufficient break. It commonly comes before an action to ask whether it is being done properly.
休憩
「休憩」means a break or rest period in this dialogue. In 「休憩していますか」, it is the activity the listener is asked about. You can use it with 「取る」 or 「する」 when talking about taking a break.
しています
In 「休憩していますか」, 「しています」presents taking breaks as an ongoing or current practice in polite speech. Together with 「休憩」, it asks whether the person has been taking breaks. It is useful after an activity noun when asking about an ongoing routine or activity.
か
At the end of 「休憩していますか」, 「か」marks the sentence as a question. It turns the polite statement into a direct question about the listener’s current practice. It is commonly placed at the end of a polite question.
それとも
「それとも」means “or” when presenting an alternative question. Here it contrasts taking real breaks with switching between tasks. It commonly introduces the second option after a question or choice.
仕事
「仕事」means work in 「仕事を切り替えている」. Here it refers broadly to the tasks the speaker is doing, not to one named job. It commonly appears before 「を」when work is the object of an action.
を
In 「仕事を切り替えている」, 「を」marks 「仕事」as the object being switched. It shows what the action is directed toward. A common pattern is 「名詞を切り替える」when changing from one activity or task to another.
切り替えている
「切り替えている」means switching between tasks in this dialogue. The form describes an ongoing pattern of moving from one piece of work to another instead of taking a break. It is useful with an activity or task as the object, as in 「仕事を切り替えている」.
だけ
In 「切り替えているだけです」, 「だけ」limits the situation to switching tasks only. It emphasizes that this activity is not functioning as a real rest. A common pattern is 「〜だけ」or 「〜だけです」when saying that something is the only thing happening.
です
At the end of 「切り替えているだけです」, 「です」gives the statement a polite ending. Together with 「だけ」, it politely states that the speaker is only switching tasks. It is commonly used after a noun or phrase to make a polite statement.
ほとんど
「ほとんど」means mostly or almost entirely in 「ほとんど仕事を切り替えているだけ」. It shows that nearly all of the speaker’s supposed breaks are actually task switching. It commonly comes before the activity or situation that makes up most of something.
あまり
「あまり」means “not very” or “not much” in the negative expression 「あまり休んでいる感じがしません」. It reduces the degree of the feeling that the speaker is resting. It commonly appears with a negative expression to mean that something happens only to a limited extent.
休んでいる
「休んでいる」means being at rest or taking a break in this dialogue. In 「休んでいる感じ」, it describes the state the speaker does not feel they are experiencing. It is useful for describing an ongoing state of resting.
感じ
In 「休んでいる感じがしません」, 「感じ」means a feeling or sense. The speaker says there is no real sense of resting, and the full meaning comes from 「感じがしません」. This pattern is useful for describing how a situation feels to someone.
しません
In 「休んでいる感じがしません」, 「しません」makes the expression negative and polite, meaning that the speaker does not feel it. Together with 「感じが」, it says that no such sense is present. It can also be used after an action verb to politely say that someone does not do something.
それなら
「それなら」means “if so” or “then” and responds to the situation just described. Here it introduces the conclusion that the lack of real rest explains the growing pressure. It is useful when drawing a conclusion from the other person’s information.
なぜ
「なぜ」means “why” in 「なぜプレッシャーが積み重なり続けるのか」. It introduces the reason that needs to be explained. It is commonly placed before a clause ending in 「のか」when asking or discussing why something happens.
プレッシャー
「プレッシャー」means pressure in this workplace context. It is the pressure that keeps accumulating according to the dialogue. It is useful when talking about emotional or work-related pressure.
積み重なり続ける
「積み重なり続ける」means continues to build up or accumulate in 「プレッシャーが積み重なり続ける」. The form shows that the pressure keeps increasing over time. It is useful for describing pressure, problems, or burdens that continue to accumulate.
の
In 「なぜプレッシャーが積み重なり続けるのか」, 「の」turns the preceding clause into the matter being explained. Together with 「か」, it forms an embedded question about why the pressure keeps building. This pattern is useful when placing a “why” question inside a larger sentence.
説明できます
「説明できます」means “can explain” in this dialogue. It presents the previous situation as something that provides an explanation for the pressure. It is useful when stating that a reason or fact makes something understandable.
締め切り
「締め切り」means deadline in this dialogue. It is the approaching time limit that makes the speaker feel guilty about stopping. It commonly combines with 「近い」or 「前」when discussing how close a deadline is.
近い
「近い」means close or near in 「締め切りが近い」. Here it describes the deadline as approaching in time. It is commonly used with a time, place, or event that is near.
とき
「とき」means “when” or “the time when” in 「締め切りが近いとき」. It places the feeling of guilt in the situation where the deadline is close. It commonly follows a clause to describe when something happens.
に
In 「締め切りが近いときに」, 「に」marks the time or situation when the feeling occurs. It connects the condition of the deadline being near with the following action or feeling. It is commonly used after 「とき」in time expressions.
止まる
「止まる」means to stop in 「止まると」. Here it refers to stopping work when the deadline is close. It is useful when describing the point at which an ongoing activity comes to an end.
と
In 「止まると」, 「と」links the condition of stopping with the result that follows. It gives the meaning “when” or “if” the speaker stops. A common pattern is 「動詞の辞書形＋と」for a predictable result or consequence.
罪悪感
「罪悪感」means guilt or a feeling of guilt in this dialogue. It is the uncomfortable feeling the speaker experiences when stopping near the deadline. It commonly appears with 「覚える」to describe experiencing guilt.
覚えます
In 「罪悪感を覚えます」, 「覚えます」means experience or feel rather than memorize. Together with 「罪悪感を」, it describes experiencing guilt. This polite pattern can be used with feelings such as 「違和感」or 「不安」when those combinations are known and appropriate.
回復
「回復」means recovery in 「回復に役立つ」. Here it refers to recovering energy or condition through a boundary. It is useful when discussing a return to a healthier or more normal state.
役立つ
「役立つ」means to be useful or to help in 「回復に役立つ」. It says that the boundary contributes to the person’s recovery. It commonly appears with 「〜に役立つ」to identify what something helps with.
なら
In 「役立つなら」, 「なら」means “if” or “if that is the case.” It sets the condition that the boundary helps with recovery. It is useful for accepting a stated condition before giving a conclusion.
境界線
「境界線」means a boundary or dividing line in this dialogue. Here it refers to a limit around work that protects time for recovery. It is useful when discussing a clear limit between work and rest or between different areas.
引く
In 「境界線を引く」, 「引く」means to draw or set a boundary. The whole expression describes establishing a limit around work, not physically pulling something. This pattern is useful when talking about setting a boundary or line.
こと
In 「境界線を引くこと」, 「こと」turns the action of setting a boundary into a matter or activity that can be discussed. It allows the action to be treated as the topic of 「は」. A common pattern is 「動詞の普通形＋こと」for referring to an action as a thing.
は
In 「境界線を引くことは怠けではありません」, 「は」marks the act of setting a boundary as the topic. The sentence then says that this topic is not laziness. It is commonly used to set up a topic for comparison or evaluation.
怠け
「怠け」means laziness in this dialogue. It is the negative label that the speaker is told does not apply to setting a helpful boundary. It is useful when discussing the idea of avoiding work or not making an effort.
ありません
In 「怠けではありません」, 「ありません」politely says that something is not present or is not the case. Together with 「怠けでは」, it means that setting a boundary is not laziness. It is commonly used to make a polite negative statement about a noun.
前
In 「締め切り前に」, 「前」means before or prior to the deadline. It places the suggested conversation earlier than the deadline. It commonly follows a noun to express “before that event.”
現実的
「現実的」means realistic in the discussion of what can actually be done before the deadline. It describes a plan or amount of work that matches the real situation. It is useful when evaluating whether a goal or schedule is practical.
できる
In 「現実的にできること」, 「できる」means can do or be possible. It identifies the work that can realistically be completed before the deadline. It commonly appears before 「こと」to refer to what someone can do.
上司
「上司」means manager or supervisor in this dialogue. The speaker considers telling this person what is realistic before the deadline. It is useful in workplace conversations about reporting, expectations, or workload.
伝えた
In 「上司に伝えたほうがよい」, 「伝えた」means communicated or told. It is the action being recommended to the speaker. The form appears within the advice pattern 「〜たほうがよい」, which recommends an action.
ほうがよい
The construction 「伝えたほうがよい」means “it would be better to tell” and gives advice. In this construction, 「ほう」presents the recommended option, 「が」marks it within the comparison, and 「よい」means that this option is preferable. It is useful after a past-form verb when recommending that someone do something.
かもしれません
「かもしれません」means “might” or “may” and makes the advice in 「伝えたほうがよいかもしれません」less definite. In the construction, 「かも」introduces possibility, while 「しれ」and 「ません」complete the polite expression. It is useful when giving a tentative opinion or suggestion.
それ
「それ」means “that” or “it” in 「それまで」. It refers back to the deadline already mentioned. It is useful for pointing to something previously discussed rather than repeating the noun.
まで
In 「それまでに」, 「まで」means “by” or “until that time.” Here it marks the deadline as the latest point for finishing the work. It commonly follows a time expression when stating an endpoint.
終えられる
「終えられる」means can finish in 「終えられること」. It identifies the work that is possible to complete by the deadline. It is useful when discussing which tasks can be completed within a time limit.
さらに
「さらに」means further or additionally in 「さらに時間が必要」. It shows that more time beyond the available period is needed. It is useful when adding an extra amount or degree to something already discussed.
時間
「時間」means time in 「さらに時間が必要」. Here it is the additional amount needed to finish some work. It commonly appears with 「必要」when stating that more time is required.
必要
In 「時間が必要なこと」, 「必要」means needed or necessary. It describes the work for which additional time is required. It is useful with 「が」to identify what is necessary, as in 「時間が必要」.
な
In 「時間が必要なこと」, 「な」links 「必要」to the noun 「こと」. It shows that the preceding description modifies the following matter. This linking form is used after certain descriptions before a noun.
はっきり
「はっきり」means clearly in 「はっきりさせてください」. It describes the desired result: making the two categories of work clear. It commonly comes before a verb when asking for clarity.
させてください
The construction 「はっきりさせてください」means “please make it clear.” Here 「させて」connects the action of making something clear, and 「ください」makes it a polite request. It is useful when asking someone to cause a state or result to become clear.
今日
「今日」means today in 「今日」. It sets the action of taking lunch away from the desk on the current day. It is useful for specifying that something will happen on the present day.
机
「机」means desk in 「机から離れて」. It is the place from which the speaker plans to move away while eating lunch. It is useful when referring to a desk or table used for work or study.
から
In 「机から離れて」, 「から」means from or away from. It marks the desk as the place the speaker will move away from. It commonly follows a place with verbs of moving or separating.
離れて
「離れて」means moving away from or being apart from in 「机から離れて」. The te-form connects this movement with the following action of taking lunch. It is useful when one action or state leads into another.
昼食
「昼食」means lunch in this dialogue. It is the meal the speaker will take away from the desk. It commonly appears with 「取る」when describing having lunch.
取ります
In 「昼食を取ります」, 「取ります」means have or take when used with lunch. Together with 「昼食を」, it describes eating or taking a lunch break. This polite expression is useful for stating a planned meal.
元気
In 「元気を取り戻す」, 「元気」means energy or vitality. It is what the speaker hopes to regain through taking a real break. The meaning here comes from the whole expression 「元気を取り戻す」.
取り戻す
In 「元気を取り戻す」, 「取り戻す」means get back or recover something that has been lost. Here the thing being regained is energy. It commonly takes the recovered thing as its object with 「を」.
ため
In 「元気を取り戻すための一歩」, 「ため」expresses purpose: the step is intended to help regain energy. The full phrase 「〜ための」modifies 「一歩」with that purpose. It is useful for describing an action taken in order to achieve a result.
小さい
「小さい」means small in 「小さいけれど役に立つ一歩」. It describes the step as limited in size, while the following phrase says it is still useful. It is useful for describing the scale of an action or change.
けれど
In 「小さいけれど役に立つ」, 「けれど」means “but” or “although.” It contrasts the step’s small size with its usefulness. It commonly connects two descriptions when the second one differs from an expectation created by the first.
役に立つ
「役に立つ」means to be useful or helpful in 「役に立つ一歩」. It describes the small step as contributing meaningfully to getting energy back. It commonly comes before a noun to describe something that helps.
一歩
「一歩」means one step in this dialogue. It presents taking lunch away from the desk as a small action toward recovering energy. It is useful both for a literal step and for describing progress toward a goal.
Grammar Points
〜たほうがよい
上司に伝えたほうがよいです。
JOH-shee nee tsoo-TAH-eh-tah hoh-GAH YO-ee deh-SOO.You should tell your manager.
〜たほうがよい gives advice or says that one choice is better.
〜続ける
プレッシャーが積み重なり続ける。
puh-RESH-shah gah tsoo-MEE-kah-sah-nah-REE tsoo-zoo-KEH-roo.The pressure keeps building up.
〜続ける means that an action or state continues over time.
Japanese Vocabulary
ちゃんと
adv
CHAHN-toh
properly; adequately
プレッシャー
noun
puh-RESH-shah
pressure
気がします
phrase
kee gah shee-MAHS
feel; have the impression
休んでいる感じ
phrase
yah-SOON-deh-ee-roo KAHN-jee
feeling of resting
休憩していますか
phrase
kyoo-KAY shee-TEH-ee-MAHS kah
are you taking a break?
境界線
noun
kyoh-KAI-sen
boundary
罪悪感
noun
zai-ah-koo-KAHN
guilt
仕事を切り替えている
phrase
shee-GOH-toh oh kee-ree-kah-EH-teh-ee-roo
switching between tasks
仕事量
noun
shee-GOH-toh-ryoh
workload
積み重なり続ける
verb
tsoo-MEE-kah-sah-nah-ree tsoo-zoo-KEH-roo
keep building up
締め切り
noun
shee-meh-KEE-ree
deadline
燃え尽きてきている
verb
moh-eh-DOH-kee-teh-kee-TEH-roo
becoming burned out
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
feel; have the impression
Show Answer
気がしますfeeling of resting
Show Answer
休んでいる感じpressure
Show Answer
プレッシャーare you taking a break?